EPG showing past, current and future TV programme schedules and allowing previously broadcast programmes to be streamed over the internet

摘要

A television electronic programme guide (EPG) displaying current, past and future TV schedules and allowing a user to retrieve a previously broadcast programme over a one-to-one communication network, such as the internet. If a user-selected programme is currently being broadcast, the system may retrieve the programme from the broadcast network using a broadcast receiver. If a user-selected programme is scheduled for future broadcast, the system determines if it is available for immediate streaming over the communication network; if It is, the programme may be viewed, but if it is not, the programme may be scheduled to be recorded by a PVR and a reminder message may be displayed to the viewer at the future time of broadcast. Prior to online streaming of TV content, the system may check its data storage device to see if the programme is already stored on the PVR for local viewing. This on-demand television system allows any TV programme to be immediately delivered to the user irrespective of any broadcasting schedule.